<h1>The Olympics 2012</h1>

<p style="background: url(/images/b6d58f/3084_olympic-sprite.png) no-repeat -190px -570px; padding: 15px 0 15px 75px; font-weight:bold; ">On the 27th July 2012 the UK will be opening its doors to hundreds of athletics and spectators for the 2012 Olympic games. &nbsp;The majority of the games will take place in London and here you will find all the information you could need to get to and between venues to enjoy the exciting events.</p>
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<li style="background-position: 15px -100px; padding-top:17px"><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/jumplink/text/DATES');" href="#a">Dates</a></li>
<li style="background-position: 20px -160px; padding-top:17px"><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/jumplink/text/ACCOMODATION');" href="#b">Accomodation</a></li> 
<li style="background-position: 7px -220px;"><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/jumplink/text/VENUES');" href="#c">London Venue Locations</a></li>				
<li style="background-position:17px -280px;"><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/jumplink/text/TRANSPORT');" href="#d">Getting to events in London</a></li>
<li style="background-position: 18px -350px;"><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/jumplink/text/VENUESOUTSIDELONDON');" href="#e">Venues outside London</a></li>
<li style="background-position: 20px -410px;"><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/jumplink/text/PARALYMPIC VENUES');" href="#f">Venues for Paralympics</a></li>
<li style="background-position: 10px -467px;"><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/jumplink/text/Things to do');" href="#g">Things to do in the UK</a></li>
<li style="background-position: 15px -530px;"><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/jumplink/text/Other things to do');" href="#h">Other Uk Attractions</a></li>
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<h2 style="background-position: -225px -240px;">Dates</h2>
<ul style="overflow:auto; padding: 20px 0;">
<li style="width:200px; height:60px; display:inline-block; list-style:none; padding:20px 0 25px 120px; background: url(/images/b6d58f/3084_olympic-sprite.png) no-repeat -150px -110px;"><strong>The Olympic Games</strong><br/>27th July - 12th August 2012.</li>
<li style="width:200px; height:60px; display:inline-block; list-style:none; padding:20px 0 25px 120px; background: url(/images/b6d58f/3084_olympic-sprite.png) no-repeat -150px 0px;"><strong>The Paralympic Games</strong><br/>29th August - 9th September 2012</li>
</ul>

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<h2 style="background-position: -225px -460px;">Olympic Accommodation</h2>
<p>With demand expected to skyrocket as we get closer to the games you should ideally be looking to book sooner rather than later in order to get the best deal and avoid inflated prices. We do advise though that you wait until your tickets have been confirmed before doing so. Once you know what events you can then use the map below to view and book the specific hotels around the event your spectating.</p>
<p>We’ve teamed up with <img src="/images/b6d58f/3039_hotels.com_logo.png" title="Hotels.com" alt="Hotels.com" />  to bring you a selection of accommodation for the 2012 Olympics at the lowest prices available.</p>
<p>Your Olympic ticket also entitles you to travel free with London Transport which means better flexibility in your choice of accommodation, so although likely to be very busy over the Olympic period the price of traveling around London to the venues should not be a factor.</p>
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<h2 style="background-position: -225px -373px;">London Venue Locations</h2>
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	 		<h4>Olympic event venues</h4>
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<h2 style="padding-left:0;">Getting to the Olympic venues from Heathrow</h2>

<p>For all of your transport options for travelling to and around London on the day of the wedding see <a href="http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/london.html">Getting to London</a>.</p>

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<h3>Taxi and Transfer</h3>

<h3>The tube</h3>
<p>One way of getting to and around London is by using the London Underground, also know as the Tube.  This is a network of underground train routes that opearate throughout London.  Although this is usually a quick and easy way to get to or around London, with over 1.1 million visitors predicted to be travelling to London for the day of the Royal Wedding a tube may be a bit cramped.</p>

<h3>Coach</h3>
<p><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/RoyalWedding/affiliate/text/NATIONALEXPRESS');"href="http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/national-express-coach-heathrow.html" target="blank_">National Express</a> operate coaches all over the UK which can often take you direct to your location.  For the Royal Wedding National Express will be operating coaches to London city centre and Clapham common where Camp Royal is located.  It is also the cheaper transport option.</p>

<h3>Car Hire</h3>
</a><p><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/RoyalWedding/weblink/text/CARHIRE');"href="http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/car-hire.html" target="blank_">Hiring a car</a> can be a suitable option for getting you to or from London.  You can pick up your vehicle from a local or airport branch and be mobile while you are in the UK.</p>

<br />
<h2 style="padding-left:0;">Where to stay in London</h2>
<p>In the spirit of the event many hotels within London are all set to give their guests the Royal treatment with afternoon tea, Royal Wedding souvenirs and celebratory dinners.</p>
<p>Looking back at the last royal wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana back in 1981 London saw around 600,000 visitors travel to London and with visitors numbers set to exceed that this time around you can bet <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/RoyalWedding/affiliate/text/EASYTOBOOK');"href="http://www.easytobook.com/en/united-kingdom/greater-london/london/events/royal-wedding-william-kate-hotels/?affid=280823192" target="blank_">Royal Wedding hotel rooms</a> are being snapped up fast.</p>
<p>Below you can find a selection of hand picked Royal Wedding hotels for those either looking simply for a standard room or something a little more special to celebrate the event.</p> 
<p>You can also visit our <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/RoyalWedding/weblink/text/HOTELS');" href="http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/hotels.html" target="blank_">Hotels Page</a> to compare and book other <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/RoyalWedding/weblink/text/HOTELS');" href="http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/hotels.html#f" target="blank_">Central London Hotels.</a></p>

<center><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/RoyalWedding/affiliate/image/IHG');" href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-3180829-10662728?cm_mmc=CJ-_-1904700-_-3180829-_-Check%20It%20Free_MB_US%20_468x60" target="_top">
<img src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/image-3180829-10662728" width="468" height="60" alt="" border="0"/></a></center>
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<h3>Struggling to find any available accommodation? Not keen on those over-inflated Easter holiday prices?</h3>
<p><strong>We’ll let you in on a little secret;</strong> Heathrow airport has a number of great hotels surrounding it such as the <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/RoyalWedding/affiliate/text/holidayinn');" href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-2172019-10474825?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ichotelsgroup.com%2Fh%2Fd%2Fhi%2F925%2Fen%2Fhd%2Flonhw&cm_mmc=CJ-_-1904700-_-2172019-_-IHG%20Redirect%20Link%202009" target="_blank">Holiday Inn</a> and <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/RoyalWedding/affiliate/text/crowneplazalondonheathrow');" href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-3180829-10474825?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ichotelsgroup.com%2Fh%2Fd%2Fcp%2F925%2Fen%2Fhd%2Flonha&cm_mmc=CJ-_-1904700-_-2172019-_-IHG%20Redirect%20Link%202009" target="_blank">Crowne Plaza</a>. As they aren’t located within central London their prices haven’t skyrocketed because of the expected influx of visitors so you can book a hotel within close proximity to central London for a fraction of the cost of the equivalent accommodation in the city centre.</p>
<p>Travelling into London for the Royal Wedding is very easy with the excellent transport links from Heathrow airport, all of which are also very reasonable in price. You can take a look at the various transport options yourself on our <a <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/RoyalWedding/weblink/text/transportpage');" href="/transport.html">transport page.</a></p>

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<h2 style="background-position: -225px -287px; padding-top:20px;">Venues outside London</h2>

<img src="/images/b6d58f/3072_other_venues.png" title="Hilton London Green Park" alt="Hilton London Green Park" /> 
<p>If you are planning on attending any of the events outside of London you may find the following guides useful:</p>
<ul>
<li>Dorset Events: <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/weblink/text/BRISTOLGUIDE');"href=http://www.bristol-airport-guide.co.uk/transport.html" target="_blank">Bristol Airport Guide</a> or <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/weblink/text/CARDIFFGUIDE');"href=http://www.cardiff-airport-guide.co.uk/transport.html" target="_blank">Cardiff Airport Guide</a></li>
<li>Essex Events: <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/weblink/textLUTONGUIDE');"href=http://www.luton-airport-guide.co.uk/transport.html" target="_blank">Luton Airport Guide</a>, <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/weblink/text/STANSTEDGUIDE');"href=http://www.stansted-airport-guide.co.uk/transport.html" target="_blank">Stansted Airport Guide</a> or <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/weblink/text/GATWICKGUIDE');"href=http://www.gatwick-airport-guide.co.uk/transport.html" target="_blank">Gatwick Airport Guide</a></li>
<li>Newcastle Events: <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/weblink/text/NEWCASTLEGUIDE');"href=http://www.newcastle-airport-guide.co.uk/transport.html" target="_blank">Newcastle Airport Guide</a></li>
<li>Manchester Events: <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/weblink/text/MANCHESTERGUIDE');"href=http://www.manchester-airport-guide.co.uk/transport.html" target="_blank">Manchester Airport Guide</a></li>
<li>Cardiff Events: <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/weblink/text/CARDIFFGUIDE');"href=http://www.cardiff-airport-guide.co.uk/transport.html" target="_blank">Cardiff Airport Guide</a></li>
<li>Glasgow Events: <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/weblink/text/GLASGOWGUIDE');"href=http://www.glasgow-airport-guide.co.uk/transport.html" target="_blank">Glasgow Airport Guide</a></li>
<li>Coventry Events: <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/weblink/text/BIRMINGAMGUIDE');"href=http://www.birmingham-airport-guide.co.uk/transport.html" target="_blank">Birmingham Airport Guide</a> or <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/weblink/text/EASTMIDLANDSGUIDE');"href=http://www.east-midlands-airport-guide.co.uk/transport.html" target="_blank">East Midlands Airport Guide</a></li>
<li>Windsor Events: <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/Olympics/weblink/text/GATWICKGUIDE');"href=http://www.gatwick-airport-guide.co.uk/transport.html" target="_blank">Gatwick Airport Guide</a></li>
</ul>

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<h2 style="background-position: -225px -418px">Paralympic Games Venues</h2>
<h4>LONDON</h4>
<p><i>Olympic Park</i></p>
<p>Sports: Paralympic Swimming, Wheelchair basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Tennis, Paralympic Five-a-side football, Paralympic Seven-a-side, Paralympic Athletics, Paralympic track cycling, Goalball.</p>
<p><i>North Greenwich Arena</i></p>
<p>Sports: Wheelchair Basketball.</p>
<p><i>Greenwich Park</i></p>
<p>Sports: Paralympic Equestrain</p>
<p><i>ExCel</i></p>
<p>Sports: Paralympic Table Tennis, &nbsp;Paralympic Judo, Wheelchair Fencing, Boccia, Powerlifting, Volleyball-Sitting.</p>
<p><i>The Royal Artillery Barracks</i></p>
<p>Sports: Paralympic Shooting, Paralympic Archery</p>
<h4>DORSET</h4>
<p><i>Weymouth and Portland</i></p>
<p>Sports: Paralympic Rowing</p>
<h4>WINDSOR</h4>
<p><i>Eton Dorney</i></p>
<p>Sports: Paralympic Rowing</p>



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<h2 style="background-position: -225px -500px;">Things to do in London</h2>
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<p>While you are in London for the Olympics you should consider visiting some of the spectacular London attractions. &nbsp;There are plenty of things you can tick off your list of things to do while you are in London; from city tours, theatre shows, historic buildings and much more.</p>  
<h3>Historical Attractions</h3>
<p>London is a bustling city with a truly fascinating history. To find out more about London’s history you must visit some of the Royal buildings to get a hands on history experience.</p>
<h4>Buckingham Palace</h4>

<p>For a truly Royal experience you should visit Buckingham Palace.  Buckingham Palace is located in the centre of London and is also a short walk from the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, 10 Downing Street and Piccadilly. &nbsp;The building is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch. &nbsp;You will recognise Buckingham Palace from the Royal Wedding reception on April 29th which was hosted by Her Majesty the Queen. &nbsp;You could recreate the Royal couple’s journey from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace if you fancy a break from sport. </p>
<p>The state rooms of Buckingham palace are open to visitors during the months of July to September so you may be able to have a glimpse at Royal life. &nbsp;You should also consider attending the changing of the guard.</p>
<h4>Changing of the guard</h4>
<p>You cannot visit London without viewing the changing of the guard which takes place at Buckingham Palace. &nbsp;The ceremony takes place most days except holidays. &nbsp;The official start time is usually 11.30am with the soldiers arriving from 11.15am accompanied by music. &nbsp;The ceremony is half an hour and the routine is done with precision and grace.</p>

<h4>The Tower of London</h4>
<p>The Tower of London is a large domineering tower centred inside a fortress that looks out over the river Thames. &nbsp;It was built in the early 1080’s by William the Conqueror who built the the stone tower at the centre of his fortress. &nbsp;The White Tower as it was known was built to threaten and subdue the residents of London to prevent them acting out crimes and also to deter foreign invaders. &nbsp;Over the years the White Tower has been used as a prison and location for execution. &nbsp;The last execution was in 1941 when the execution of a German called Josef Jakobs took place. &nbsp;Today the Tower of London is a World Heritage Site attracting 2 million tourists each year. &nbsp;You can visit the Tower of London today to find out more about it’s history and the gruesome acts which took place there.</p>

<h4>London Sightseeing Tours</h4>
<p>The best way to get to know the history of London and see it all is by a Sight Seeing Tour bus. &nbsp;There are various tour operators providing tours on a bus but the most popular are as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/RoyalWedding/weblink/text/THEORIGINALTOUR');"href="http://www.theoriginaltour.com/" target="blank_">The Original Tour</a></li>
<li><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/RoyalWedding/weblink/text/CITYSIGHTSEEING');"href="http://www.city-sightseeing.com/index.phtml" target="blank_">City Sightseeing</a> tour.</li>
<li><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/RoyalWedding/weblink/text/BIGBUSTOURS');"href="http://www.bigbustours.com/eng/international/default.aspx" target="blank_">Big Bus Tours</a></li>
<li><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/RoyalWedding/weblink/text/LONDONDUCKTOURS');"href="http://www.londonducktours.co.uk/" target="blank_">London Duck Tours</a>. This tour is a bit different as the vehicle travels on both road and water so you get a tour of London town and a tour of the River Thames.</li>
</ul>
<p>All coaches include a guide to assist with any questions and a &nbsp;commentary describing the history and events that have taken place in London. &nbsp;You can usually choose your route and sometimes the language of the commentary. </p>
<h2 style="padding-left:0;">Other Attractions</h2>

<h4>Madame Tussauds</h4> 
<p>At Madame Tussauds you can meet some fantastic characters including , the Queen, Lady Gaga, Robert Pattinson, David Beckham, Barack Obama and many more.</p>
<h4>London Dungeon</h4>
<p>The London Dungeon is not for the faint hearted. &nbsp;Representing 1000 years of London’s gory history with 11 actor led shows and 2 scary rides be prepared for a fright.</p>
<h4>Hyde Park</h4>
</a><p>Hyde Park has over 350 acres of land, 4,000 trees and a lakes. &nbsp;The large park is located right in the centre of London so is highly accessible.&nbsp; The park is open from 5am - midnight every day. &nbsp;During the Olympics Hyde Park is the venue for the Triathlon and the Marathon Swimming events.</p>
<h4>The London Eye</h4>
<p>The EDF Energy London Eye is a large ferris wheel situated on the other side of the Thames to Westminster and near London Waterloo Train station. &nbsp;The London Eye reaches 135m in height and provides a view of London for 40km (25 miles). &nbsp;On a clear day you can see as far as Windsor Castle.</p>
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<h2 style="background-position: -225px -336px">Other UK Attractions</h2>
<h4><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/RoyalWedding/affiliate/image/LEGO');"href='http://scripts.affiliatefuture.com/AFClick.asp?affiliateID=76639&merchantID=3065&programmeID=8512&mediaID=101778&tracking=heathrow&url='><img border=0 src="http://banners.affiliatefuture.com/3065/101778.gif"title="" alt="legoland heathrow" style="float: right; border: 1px solid #b0b0b0; padding: 3px; margin: 5px;"></a></h4>
<p>There is plenty to see outside of London so you should consider <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/RoyalWedding/weblink/text/CARHIRE');"href="http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/car-hire.html" target="blank_">hiring a car</a>.  Hiring a car means you can venture out of London to visit the beautiful scenery and  attractions the UK has to offer.  For example you could visit the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Windsor which is 25 miles from (40 km) London</li>
<li>Oxford which is 59 miles (95 km) from London</li>
<li>Cambridge which is 60 miles (97 km) from London</li>
<li>Stonehenge which is 85 miles (137 km) from London</li>
<li>Cardiff which is 150 miles from(241 km) London</li>
</ul>
<p>Alternatively you could hire a car to get to some of the other venues outside of London.</p>
<h4>Windsor</h4>
<p>If you have time to venture outside of London you should consider visiting Windsor. &nbsp;Windsor is a short journey in the car from London so it is worth hiring a car to get to Windsor and spending a couple of days there. &nbsp;Windsor is the home of the Queen as she lives in Windsor Palace. &nbsp;You can explore the grounds of Windsor and take in the history of the royal town. &nbsp;It is here where Eton college is located and the college looks impressive. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Windsor Great park is also worth a visitand very pleasant location for a picnic in the park.</p>
<h4>LEGOLAND Windsor</h4>
<p>LEGOLAND Windsor is a fantastic place to take the children for a fun filled day of entertainment. &nbsp;The park is aimed at children aged 3-12 but the fun doesn’t stop for adults. There are 55 LEGO themed rides at the park, a children's driving school and live shows.</p>

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